Sazerac Rye Barrel Aged Gratitude
East End Brewing Company

It seems a little darker amber brown than your typical gratitude, perhaps nearing mahogany under an airy, moderately tall, lumpy tan foam head.

Certainly a different direction from regular rye barrel aged Gratitude, but crazy enjoyable in a different direction, I experience a hint of red grape within rye spice, candied ginger and molasses. I do get a little of that lemon peel accenting in the finish.

This somehow has a little more body than other variants. Tingly, semi-dry, mature and warming.

An inspiration I never expected, but perfectly fitting for both a beer and a cocktail I already love separately. I appreciate subtle use of the additives instead of just jamming absinthe down your throat.

Poured from the can into a teku glass.

Muddy slightly rust reddish brown, with a bit of opaque character to the beer. Khaki topped head with a good staying retention, and fluffy creamed top. Lots of staying power with the head, leaving just little touches of nearly concentric circular lacing.

Aroma is gangbusters great. Rich touching notes of light caramel, hitting with woody oak barrels and and eclectic mix of diverse and unique flavors. Perfume like tea, marmalade fruit, spicy herbs, sweet dark cherry, citrus oils and marmalade. Just exceptionally good nose that you could spend hours on.

Palate is just as nearly fun. Rich flavors in an incredible package. Spicy notes of whiskey and lemon, coupled with sweet caramel and a light but rolling barrel notes of wood and sweet earth. Lemon and cherry fruit comes off this like a perfect manhattan, and also keeps some marmalade spice to make it interesting.

An exceptional variant to a great barleywine that gets even better.

Well this is an interesting beast. The anise and lemon very prominent but it really works though, playing nicely off the sweet and spicy barreled base beer.